Our readers write: Issue of Dec. 1, 2016

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Adams remains relevant

Recently I have struggled to sleep through the night. I can’t get recent events out of my head.

To try to put things in perspective, I have turned my computer off, avoided TV and started reading again, specifically “Founding Brothers” by Joseph J. Ellis. It is about America’s formation and our not-so-clean break from English tyranny. One of the main sources for this book are the actual letters between former founders and presidents, Adams and Jefferson.

The prose of these two men is incredible and the arguments are logically developed regarding what they saw as the country’s future and its vital political structure.

One quotation from Adams, regarding the original political parties, could have been written just yesterday: “Both parties have excited artificial terrors.” He was referring to how each party was so adamant in attacking the other’s principles that each party created incredible lies about its opponent just to propel its own agenda.

Sound familiar?

Tweeting short-sighted responses on Twitter at 3 a.m. because his vice-president-elect is booed, how ironic, at a play about Hamilton, now becomes a “badly” rebellious act threatening the nation.

Even though the Civil War almost killed our founders’ dream, we still have a vision that our republic is great if we just stop trying to start another one.

OK, I got that out of my system, so maybe now I can at least get a nap in.

Al Finley

Poway

Local election reality

If, as you suggest in your Nov. 17 editorial, the two reelected Poway City Council members “interpret their ballot success as a sign of voter confidence in the current council,” they are not merely wearing rose-colored glasses, they are wearing blinders. Neither of them received even 30 per cent of the vote. This means that over 70 percent of Poway voters wanted something different than the current council.

Think what the vote would have been had there been fewer candidates for the council and had the city council not passed an ordinance denying challengers for public office the right to put their campaign signs where most people can see them. It is difficult to overcome the built-in advantage of incumbents when they prevent their opponents from getting their message to the voters.

Charles R. McKirdy

Poway

Housing vote ‘disappointing’

The Poway City Council’s Nov. 15 decision not to proceed with housing for veterans is extremely disappointing.

Your article for Veterans Day, just five days earlier, reported about honoring veterans. However, the leadership of the city is sadly lacking in gratitude and honor.

Habitat for Humanity and other organizations are helping with this project. The city has money for a YMCA at Community Park, but not for veterans? Shameful.

Jillian Mulligan

Poway

Housing suggestion

Concerning the proposed plans for a Prop. FF vote for the StoneRidge Country Club to allow houses on its golf course, I'd be more than happy to vote for it provided a couple of acres is devoted for low-to- moderate income veteran families.

Maybe the Maderas Golf Club, which wants to build a hotel, could also follow suit.

Joseph St. Lucas

Poway

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